Sun visor assembly

ABSTRACT

A sun visor assembly is adapted for attachment in a vehicle having a front windshield and a side door window. The sun visor assembly includes a slide track attachable to the vehicle above the side door window. A slide bracket is slidably disposed within the channel. A sun visor pivotably cooperates with the slide bracket, and is pivotable about an axis. An automatic pivot assembly is operatively connected between the slide track and the sun visor for automatically pivoting the sun visor toward a position in which the sun visor is substantially parallel with the slide track as the slide bracket is moved in a direction away from the front windshield, thereby preventing interference of the sun visor with a vehicle occupant as the sun visor is moved between the front windshield and side door window.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.09/007,436, which was filed on Jan. 15, 1998, and is hereby incorporatedby reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a sun visor assembly and, moreparticularly, to a sun visor assembly including an automatic pivotassembly operative to pivot the sun visor away from the vehicle occupantas the sun visor is moved from the front windshield to the side doorwindow.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fixed pivot sun visors are sometimes undesirable in vehicle designsbecause they may be limited in the amount of front windshield and sidedoor window coverage provided, and they may also interfere with thevehicle occupant's head when pivoted between the front windshield andside door window. Tracked transverse style sun visors have been proposedfor use in vehicles to increase the windshield and side door windowcoverage range of the sun visor assembly, but such designs are alsoproblematic.

Tracked, transverse style sun visors have traditionally been difficultto package in most vehicles. The main reason for this difficulty hasbeen the problem the tracked sun visor has in negotiating the angledturn when in transition from the front header to the side rail, i.e.,when turning from a position above the front windshield, across theA-pillar, and along the side door window.

Tracked, transverse style sun visors also have not solved the vehicleoccupant head interference problem associated with pivoting sun visors.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an improved sun visor assemblywhich overcomes the above-referenced problem associated with prior artsun visor assemblies.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the above-referenced problems associatedwith prior art sun visor assemblies by providing a sun visor assemblyincluding a slide track which is attached above the vehicle side doorwindow. The slide track does not extend above the front windshield. Theassembly includes an automatic pivot assembly operative to automaticallypivot the sun visor away from the head of the vehicle occupant as thesun visor is moved from the front windshield to the side door window.

More specifically, the present invention provides a sun visor assemblyadapted for attachment in a vehicle having a front windshield and sidedoor window. The sun visor assembly comprises a slide track attachableto the vehicle above the side door window. The slide track includes achannel formed therein, and a slide bracket is slidably disposed withinthe channel. The sun visor assembly further includes a sun visor whichpivotably cooperates with the slide bracket, and is pivotable about anaxis. An automatic pivot assembly is operatively connected between thesun visor and the slide track for causing rotation of the sun visorabout the axis toward a position in which the sun visor is substantiallyparallel with the slide track as the slide bracket is moved in adirection away from the front windshield. The automatic pivot assemblymay comprise a cam connected to the sun visor and a cam truck, or amulti-component assembly operative to pivot the sun visor. Interferenceof the sun visor with a vehicle occupant is thereby prevented as the sunvisor is moved between the front windshield and side door window.

The slide track is preferably substantially straight and extends onlyabove the vehicle side door window, thereby eliminating the need tonegotiate the turn across the A-pillar to the front windshield. Theautomatic pivot assembly also prevents interference of the pivoting sunvisor with the vehicle occupant.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a sunvisor assembly having a moving pivot point, wherein the sun visorautomatically pivots away from the head of a vehicle occupant as the sunvisor is moved from the front windshield to the side door window.

A further object of the invention is to provide a sun visor assemblyincluding a guide track which extends only above the side door window ofthe vehicle, and does not extend above or adjacent the front windshield.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sun visor assembly witha sun visor having a moving pivot point, and including an automaticpivot assembly operative to pivot the sun visor away from the head of avehicle occupant as the sun visor is moved in a direction away from thefront windshield.

The above objects and other objects, features, and advantages of thepresent invention are readily apparent from the following detaileddescription of the best mode for carrying out the invention when takenin connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a sun visor assembly in accordancewith the invention, with the sun visor in a position substantiallyperpendicular to the slide track;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the sun visor assembly of FIG. 1,with the sun visor in a position substantially parallel with the slidetrack;

FIG. 3 shows an enlarged perspective view of the automatic pivotassembly in accordance with the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a sun visor assembly in accordancewith an alternative embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 shows a side view of a top track in accordance with a secondalternative embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 shows a top view of the track of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 shows an end view of the track of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 shows a top view of a bottom track for use with the embodiment ofFIG. 5;

FIG. 9 shows a sectional view taken at line a--a of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 shows a side view of the bottom track of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 shows an end view of the track shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 shows a top view of a slide bracket for use with the embodimentof FIG. 5;

FIG. 13 shows a side view of the slide bracket of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 shows an end view of the slide bracket of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 shows a top view of a cam member and sun visor support rod foruse with the embodiment of FIG. 5;

FIG. 16 shows an end view of the cam member and support rod shown inFIG. 15;

FIG. 17 shows a side view of the cam member and support rod of FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 shows a top plan view of an assembled sun visor track assemblyin accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 5;

FIG. 19 shows a cross-sectional view of the assembly of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 shows a side view of the assembly of FIG. 18;

FIG. 21 shows an end view of the assembly of FIG. 18;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a third alternative embodiment of theinvention which includes a slide track, a sun visor, an automatic pivotassembly and an automatic belt drive mechanism;

FIG. 23 is a bottom perspective view of the third alternative embodimentwith a belt of the belt drive mechanism removed to show a slide bracketand slide track;

FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view of the third alternativeembodiment showing a sun visor mounting bracket, the slide bracket, anda cam member and a pivot shaft of the automatic pivot assembly;

FIG. 25 is a bottom perspective view of the slide track and the beltdrive mechanism of the third alternative embodiment, with the beltremoved and positioned alongside of the slide track;

FIG. 26 is a top perspective view of a fourth alternative embodiment ofthe invention which includes a sun visor having a tip pin, and a visorcheck subassembly having a check body; and

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the tip pin and the visor checksubassembly with the check body removed to show power leads connected tothe visor check subassembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a preferred embodiment of a sun visor assembly10 is shown. The sun visor assembly 10 is adapted for attachment in avehicle having a front windshield and a side door window. The sun visorassembly 10 includes a slide track 12 attachable to the body sheet metalabove the side door window.

The slide track 12 has a substantially straight configuration forattachment only above the side door window and not extending above thefront windshield of the vehicle, thereby avoiding the need to negotiatethe turn at the A-pillar between the side of the vehicle and the frontportion above the front windshield. Advantageously, the slide track 12may be pre-assembled in a vehicle headliner system (not shown), whichcan later be installed in the vehicle.

The slide track 12 includes a front end 14 which is to be positionedclosely adjacent the A-pillar of the vehicle above the side door window.The rear end 16 of the slide track 12 is positioned above the side doorwindow rearward in vehicle from the front end 14 such that the slidetrack 12 extends lengthwise above the side door window. The slide track12 includes a channel 18 formed therein along the length of the slidetrack 12. A slide bracket 20 is slidably connected within the channel 18for sliding movement between the front end 14 and rear end 16 of theslide track 20.

The sun visor 22, which includes a flip-up mirror 24, is pivotallyconnected by a support rod 26 to the slide bracket 20. The support rod26 is pivotable about an axis of rotation 28, which intersects the slidebracket 20.

FIG. 3 shows the attachment between the slide bracket 20 and the slidetrack 12 in greater detail. As shown, the slide track 12 includesopposing grooves 30 which slidably receive the top plate 32 of the slidebracket 20. An automatic pivot assembly 34 includes a cam member 38which is connected to the support rod 26 for pivotal movement therewith.Accordingly, pivotal movement of the cam member 38 about the axis ofrotation 28 causes pivotal movement of the support rod 26, and of thesun visor 22. The cam member 38 extends over the slide bracket 20 andincludes a knob portion 36 which is not functionally necessary in thisparticular embodiment. The lower portion of the cam member 38 whichsupports the knob portion 36, is offset from the axis of rotation 28.

The automatic pivot assembly 34 also includes a cam track 42 which isengageable with the cam member 38 for causing rotation of the sun visor22 about the axis of rotation 28 toward a position in which the sunvisor 22 is substantially parallel with the slide track 12, as shown inFIG. 2, as the slide bracket 20 is moved in a direction away from thefront windshield of the vehicle, thereby preventing interference of thesun visor 22 with the head of a vehicle occupant as the sun visor 22 ismoved between the front windshield and side door window. In thisembodiment, the cam track 42 is formed as part of the slide track 12.However, the cam track 42 may be a separate component to facilitate suchpivotal movement.

In this embodiment, when the slide bracket 20 is near the front end 14of the slide track 12, the pivot arm 38 is free to rotate above the topsurface 44 of the slide track 12. Accordingly, in this position, the sunvisor 22 may be freely pivoted, without restriction, about the axis ofrotation 28. As the slide bracket 20 is moved from the front end 14toward the rear end 16 of the slide track 12, the cam track 42 willengage the cam member 38 to automatically pivot the cam member 38, andhence the support rod 26, about the axis of rotation 28 in acounterclockwise direction, viewed from above, so that the sun visor 22is pivoted to a position in which the sun visor 22 is substantiallyparallel with the slide track 12, as shown in FIG. 2, as the slidebracket 20 continues to move toward the rear end 16 of the slide track12.

FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment 100 of the sun visor assembly.Rather than the upstanding cam track 42, particularly as shown in FIG.3, the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 provides a continuous cam track 50which extends the length of the channel 52 of the slide track 54.Accordingly, the knob-type cam member 56, which is connected to thesupport rod 61, is at all times captured within the cam track 50 so thatthe sun visor 58 never freely rotates about the pivot axis 60 becausethe pivotal movement of the support rod 61 is defined by movement of thecam member 56 along the cam track 50 from end to end.

Accordingly, as the slide bracket 62 is slid from the front end 64 ofthe slide track 54 toward the rear end 66 of the slide track 54, the camtrack 50 guides the cam member 56 through its gradual pivotal movementabout the pivot axis 60, and causes rotation of the support rod 61 aboutthe pivot axis 60. This end-to-end movement causes the sun visor 58 tomove from a position substantially perpendicular with the slide track54, as shown in FIG. 4, to a position in which the sun visor 58 issubstantially parallel with the slide track 54.

FIGS. 5-21 show a second alternative embodiment 200 of the invention.This embodiment is functionally very similar to the embodiment of FIG.4. In this embodiment, the slide track 80 comprises a top track 82,shown in FIGS. 5-7, secured to a bottom track 84, shown in FIGS. 8-11.The attached top track 82 and bottom track 84 combine to form the slidetrack 80 which receives the slide bracket 86, shown in FIGS. 12-14. Theslide bracket 86 includes a base 88 which is slidably received withinthe channel 90 of the bottom track 84. The upper flanges 92,94 of theslide bracket 86 slide on the ledges 96,98 of the bottom track 84. Asshown in FIG. 13, the slide bracket 86 also includes a handle 101 tofacilitate manual movement of the slide bracket 86 along the slide track80 for sun visor adjustment.

Turning to FIGS. 15-17, a cam member 102, pivot shaft 104, and sun visorsupport rod 106 are shown. The pivot shaft 104 is pivotally receivedwithin a central aperture 108 of the slide bracket 86, shown in FIGS.12-14. Accordingly, the cam member 102, pivot shaft 104, and sun visorsupport rod 106 are pivotally movable with respect to the slide bracket86 for sun visor angle adjustment. The pivotal adjustment of the cammember 102, pivot shaft 104, support rod 106 and sun visor is dictatedby the movement of the cam member 102 within the cam slot 110 formedwithin the top track 82, shown in FIG. 6, as the slide bracket 86 ismoved longitudinally along the slide track 80.

When the cam member 102 is at the first end 112 of the cam slot 110, theoffset relationship of the cam member 102 with respect to the pivotshaft 104 will result in the support rod 106 and sun visor beingsubstantially perpendicular to the slide track 80. As the slide bracket86 is moved longitudinally along the slide track 80, the cam member 102moves along the cam slot 110 from the end 112 of the cam slot toward themiddle 114 of the cam slot. As this movement occurs, the position of thecam member 102 changes with respect to the axis of rotation of the pivotshaft 104, thereby causing the pivot shaft 104 to rotatecounterclockwise, as viewed from the top, thereby pivoting the sun visortoward the slide track 80. Once the cam member 102 has reached themiddle portion 114 of the cam slot 110, the support rod 106 and sunvisor will be in a position substantially parallel to the slide track80.

Turning to FIGS. 18-21, fully assembled views of the sun visor trackassembly 116 are shown. In order to electrically drive movement of thesun visor assembly, a motor 118 and drive screw 120 are provided.Returning to FIG. 14, the slide bracket 86 is provided with a threadedchannel 122 to receive the threaded drive screw 120, shown in FIGS.18-21, which is rotated by the motor 118 for moving the slide bracket 86longitudinally along the slide track 80. The motor 118 is connected bywiring to a control switch (not shown) which controls operation of themotor. The control switch may be mounted in the vehicle in any suitablelocation such as on an arm rest, door panel, floor console, roof consoleand/or steering wheel. Alternatively, any suitable drive mechanism canbe used to electrically drive movement of the sun visor assembly. Suchdrive mechanisms include a cable drive mechanism, a tape drivemechanism, or a rack and pinion drive mechanism.

Still referring to FIG. 14, the slide bracket is provided with anelectrical connector 123, which is configured to provide electriccurrent to a sun visor vanity mirror or other component. Referring toFIG. 8, the bottom track 84 includes a corresponding electricalconnector 124 which mates with the electrical connector 123 on the slidebracket 86 when the slide bracket 86 is moved to the end 126 of theslide track 80. The connectors 123,124 are connected to wiring asneeded.

As shown in FIG. 20, the slide track 80 is provided with curved opposingends 128,130 to facilitate the use of a conveyor belt type cover whichwould be engaged with the slide bracket 86 and looped fully around theoutside of the slide track 80. As the slide bracket 86 is movedlongitudinally along the slide track 80, the conveyor belt type coverwould move with the slide bracket 86, and the curved ends 128,130 wouldprovide smooth surfaces against which the cover could slide. In thismanner, the cover would hide the screw 120 and other interior portionsof the track assembly 116 from view during normal operation.

FIGS. 22 through 25 show a third alternative embodiment 300 of the sunvisor assembly which is functionally similar to the sun visor assembly200. The sun visor assembly 300 includes a slide track 302, a sun visor304, an automatic pivot assembly 306 for pivoting the sun visor withrespect to the slide track, and a belt drive mechanism 308 forautomatically moving the sun visor along the slide track.

The slide track 302 is attachable to the vehicle and has a channel 310formed therein as shown in FIG. 23. Opposing grooves 312 preferablyextend substantially the entire length of the slide track 302. A slidebracket 314 is slidably disposed within the channel 310 and hasprojections 316 on opposite sides, as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, whichslidably engage the grooves 312. The slide bracket 314 further has agenerally cylindrical aperture 318 extending therethrough, and a slot319 for optionally receiving electrical wires and/or an electricalconnector (not shown) for providing electrical power to the sun visor304.

As further shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, the sun visor 304 includes a visorbody 320 supported by a support rod 321, which in turn is connected to amounting bracket 322. The support rod 321 is pivotable about an axis 324which intersects the slide bracket 314, and the rod is preferably hollowfor optionally receiving electrical wires. The mounting bracket 322 hasa generally circular recess 326, a preferably square-shaped boss 328 anda generally cylindrical aperture 330 extending therethrough foroptionally receiving electrical wires from the support rod 321. Aplurality of projections 332 extend radially into the recess 326.

The automatic pivot assembly 306 includes a pivot bracket or shaft 334and a cam member 335, as shown in FIG. 24. The pivot shaft 334 isrotatably received within the slide bracket aperture 318, and has agenerally cylindrical opening 340 extending therethrough for optionallyreceiving electrical wires from the mounting bracket aperture 330. Agenerally square shaped recess 342 is disposed at a one end of the pivotshaft, and the recess engages the mounting bracket boss 328 such thatthe pivot shaft is rotatable with the sun visor 304. The pivot shaft 334further has a circumferential groove 344 which engages the mountingbracket projections 332 to provide a snap-fit connection between thepivot shaft and the mounting bracket 322. Alternatively, the pivot shaft334 may be connected to the mounting bracket 322 in any suitable mannersuch that they are rotatable together. A generally cylindrical extension346 is disposed at a second end of the pivot shaft 334, and theextension has a radially extending projection 348.

The cam member 335 has a generally circular aperture 354 which receivesthe cylindrical extension 346, and a slot 356 which engages the pivotshaft projection 348 such that the cam member is rotatable with thepivot shaft 334 and the sun visor 304. Alternatively, the cam member 335and the pivot shaft 334 may be otherwise configured such that they arerotatable together. The cam member 335 further has a knob portion orprojection 358 which is offset from the axis 324.

The automatic pivot assembly 306 further includes a cam track 359 asshown in FIG. 25. The cam track 359 has a cam slot 360 which isengageable with the cam member projection 358 for causing pivotalmovement of the sun visor 304 in a manner similar to that described withrespect to the second embodiment 200 of the sun visor assembly. The camtrack 359 is preferably formed as part of the slide track 302, as shownin FIG. 25, but the cam track may be a separate component.

FIG. 25 also shows the belt drive mechanism 308, which includes anelectric motor 362 disposed within the slide track 302. The motor 362 isconnected by wiring to a control switch (not shown) which controlsoperation of the motor. The control switch may be mounted in the vehiclein any suitable location such as on an arm rest, door panel, floorconsole, roof console and/or steering wheel. The motor 362 has a drivegear 364 which rotatably engages and drives an internal spur gear 366 ofa drive sprocket 368. The drive sprocket 368 is rotatably connected toone end of the slide track 302, and has a plurality of radiallyextending teeth or projections 370 which engage a continuous toothedbelt 372. The belt 372 surrounds the slide track 302 and has an aperture374 which engages the pivot shaft 334 for moving the pivot shaft and theslide bracket 314 along the slide track 302. The belt 372 alsopreferably includes a tensioning device such as an O-ring 376 formaintaining sufficient tension in the belt. Furthermore, the belt drivemechanism 308 also preferably includes an idler sprocket 378 tofacilitate movement of the belt 372 about the slide track 302.Alternatively, the belt drive mechanism may have any suitableconfiguration sufficient to move the slide bracket 314 along the slidetrack 302.

When the motor 362 is activated, the belt 372 rotates about the slidetrack 302 and causes the slide bracket 314 to move along the slidetrack. As the slide bracket 314 is moved away from the front windshield,the sun visor 304 pivots toward the slide track 302 in a manner similarto that described with respect to the second embodiment 200 of the visorassembly. Conversely, as the slide bracket 314 is moved toward the frontwindshield, the sun visor 304 pivots away from the slide track 302.Advantageously, the belt drive mechanism 308 allows the sun visor 304and the slide bracket 314 to be moved manually along the slide track 302without disengaging the belt drive mechanism from the slide bracket 314.

FIGS. 26 and 27 show a fourth alternative embodiment 400 of the sunvisor assembly which includes a sun visor 402 and a visor check 404 forsecuring the sun visor 402 adjacent to the front windshield. The sunvisor assembly 400 also has all of the other features of the sun visorassembly 300. The sun visor 402 includes a tip pin 406 having aconductive end 408 and a first electrical connector 410 which isinsulated from the conductive end by an insulating member or ring 412.The conductive end 408 and the electrical connector 410 are connected byfirst and second electrical wires 414 and 416, respectively, to a sunvisor vanity mirror or other component.

The visor check subassembly 404 includes a check body 405 having arecess 418, and a moveable, conductive engaging member or disk 420 whichpreferably has a concave shape. The conductive disk 420 is engageablewith the conductive tip pin end 408, and is connected to a spring 422for biasing the disk against the tip pin end. A second electricalconnector 424 is preferably disposed at the center of the disk 420, andis insulated from the disk by an insulating member or ring 426. Theelectrical connector 424 is engageable with the electrical connector 410when the tip pin end 408 is sufficiently seated on the disk 420. Firstand second power leads 428 and 430 are connected to the disk 420 and theelectrical connector 424, respectively. The visor check subassembly 404further has a hook 432 which is engageable with a corresponding aperturein the vehicle body sheet metal, and a boss 434. A preferablycylindrical aperture 436 extends through the boss 434 for receiving asheet metal screw or other suitable fastener. Alternatively, the visorcheck subassembly 404 may be fastened to the vehicle body sheet metaland/or headliner in any suitable manner such that the visor checksubassembly is disposed adjacent to the front windshield.

As the sun visor 402 is moved toward the front windshield, the sun visorpivots away from the slide track 302 as previously described. Thispivotal movement of the sun visor 402 causes the tip pin end 408 topivot through the recess 418 and to engage the disk 420, therebydepressing the disk against the spring 422. When the sun visor 402 issubstantially parallel to the front windshield and the tip pin end 408is seated on the disk 420, the spring 422 biases the disk against thetip pin end to sufficiently secure the sun visor 402 in place, whilestill permitting rotational movement of the tip pin 406 and sun visorrelative to the disk. In this position, the conductive disk 420 engagesthe conductive end 408, and the electrical connectors 410 and 424 engageeach other, thereby enabling electric power to be provided to the vanitymirror or other component.

Because the disk 420 preferably has a concave shape, and because thedisk is biased by the spring 422, the visor check subassembly 404 isable to adjust to varying build and use conditions. Furthermore, theconcave configuration of the disk 420 also functions to center the tippin end 408 on the disk. As a result, the electrical connectors 410 and424 are able to maintain contact with each other as the sun visor 402 isrotated with respect to the visor check subassembly 404. Alternatively,the visor check subassembly 404 and the tip pin 406 may have anysuitable configuration such that they are engageable with each other tosufficiently secure the sun visor 402 adjacent to the front windshield,and to provide electric power to the sun visor 402. As anotheralternative, the visor check subassembly 404 and the tip pin 406 may beprovided without any electrical connectors or conductive portions.

The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is tobe understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to bein the nature of words of description rather than of limitation.Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present inventionare possible in light of the above teachings. For example, each of thesun visor assemblies according to the invention may be provided with anextended slide track so that the respective sun visor can provide sidedoor window coverage for a rear seat occupant. Alternatively, one ormore sun visor assemblies according to the invention may be installed inthe rear portion of the vehicle for providing front windshield and/orside door window coverage for a rear seat occupant. Furthermore, each ofthe sun visor assemblies comprising an electric drive mechanism may beprovided with a light tracking device which automatically controls therespective electric drive mechanism to properly adjust the respectivesun visor in response to the relative position of the sun, or otherlight source, and the eyes of the target occupant. A sun visor assemblyaccording to the invention having such a light tracking device may alsobe configured to automatically block direct sun load in an unattendedvehicle parked outside, thereby reducing internal heat of the vehicleand/or ultraviolet ray bleaching of the upholstery and trim. It is,therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appendedclaims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specificallydescribed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sun visor assembly adapted for attachment in avehicle having a front windshield and a side door window, the sun visorassembly comprising:a slide track attachable to the vehicle above theside door window, said slide track having a channel formed therein; aslide bracket slidably disposed within said channel; a sun visorpivotably cooperating with said slide bracket, said sun visor beingpivotable about an axis; and an automatic pivot assembly operativelyconnected between said sun visor and said slide track for automaticallypivoting said sun visor toward a position in which said sun visor issubstantially parallel with said slide track as said slide bracket ismoved in a direction away from the front windshield, thereby preventinginterference of said sun visor with a vehicle occupant as said sun visoris moved between the front windshield and the side door window.
 2. Thesun visor assembly of claim 1 wherein said slide track comprises asubstantially straight configuration for attachment only above the sidedoor window and not extending above the front windshield.
 3. The sunvisor assembly of claim 1 wherein said automatic pivot assemblycomprises a cam member which cooperates with said sun visor for pivotalmovement therewith, at least a portion of said cam member being offsetfrom said axis; anda cam track having a cam slot engageable with saidcam member for causing pivotal movement of said sun visor about saidaxis as said slide bracket is moved in a direction away from the frontwindshield.
 4. The sun visor assembly of claim 3, wherein said cam trackis formed integrally with said slide track.
 5. The sun visor assembly ofclaim 3, wherein said slide track and said cam track are configured toallow unrestricted pivotal movement of said sun visor between positionssubstantially parallel and substantially perpendicular with said slidetrack when said slide bracket is positioned at an end of said slidetrack nearest the front windshield.
 6. The sun visor assembly of claim 3wherein said automatic pivot assembly further comprises a pivot shaftconnected to said cam member and rotatably received within said slidebracket; andsaid sun visor further comprises a mounting bracketconnected to said pivot shaft, and a support rod connected to saidmounting bracket; wherein said pivot shaft, said mounting bracket andsaid support rod are rotatable together about said axis.
 7. The sunvisor assembly of claim 6 wherein said cam member is keyed to said pivotshaft, and said pivot shaft is keyed to said mounting bracket.
 8. Thesun visor assembly of claim 6 wherein said pivot shaft has acircumferential groove and said mounting bracket has at least oneprojection which engages said groove.
 9. The sun visor assembly of claim1 further comprising:a motor, and a drive mechanism engaging said motorand cooperable with said slide bracket for sliding said slide bracketalong said slide track.
 10. The sun visor assembly of claim 9 whereinsaid drive mechanism comprises a drive screw engaged with said slidebracket for actuating movement of said slide bracket along said slidetrack.
 11. The sun visor assembly of claim 9 wherein said drivemechanism comprises a toothed drive sprocket engaged with said motor anda toothed continuous belt engaged with said drive sprocket, said beltengaging said automatic pivot assembly for sliding said slide bracketalong said track.
 12. The sun visor assembly of claim 11 wherein saidbelt includes a tensioning device for maintaining sufficient tension insaid belt.
 13. A sun visor assembly adapted for attachment in a vehiclehaving a front windshield and a side door window, the sun visor assemblycomprising:a slide track attachable to the vehicle above the side doorwindow, said slide track having a channel formed therein; a slidebracket slidably disposed within said channel; a sun visor pivotablycooperating with said slide bracket, and pivotable about an axis ofrotation intersecting said slide bracket; a cam member cooperating withsaid sun visor for rotation therewith, at least a portion of said cammember being offset from said axis; and a cam track engageable with saidcam member for causing rotation of said sun visor about said axis towarda position in which said sun visor is substantially parallel with saidslide track as said slide bracket is moved in a direction away from thefront windshield, thereby preventing interference of said sun visor withthe head of a vehicle occupant as said sun visor is moved between thefront windshield and the side door window.
 14. The sun visor assembly ofclaim 13 further comprising a pivot shaft connected to said cam memberand rotatably received within said slide bracket; andsaid sun visorfurther comprises a mounting bracket connected to said pivot shaft, anda support rod connected to said mounting bracket; wherein said pivotshaft, said mounting bracket and said support rod are rotatable togetherabout said axis.
 15. The sun visor assembly of claim 13 wherein said camtrack is formed integrally with said slide track.
 16. The sun visorassembly of claim 13 wherein said slide track and said cam track areconfigured to allow unrestricted pivotal movement of said sun visorbetween positions substantially parallel and substantially perpendicularwith said slide track when said slide bracket is positioned at an end ofsaid slide track nearest the front windshield.
 17. The sun visorassembly of claim 13 wherein said slide track comprises a substantiallystraight configuration for attachment only above the side door windowand not extending above the front windshield.
 18. The sun visor assemblyof claim 13 further comprising first and second mating electricalconnectors attached to said slide bracket and said slide track,respectively, for providing electric current to said sun visor.
 19. Thesun visor assembly of claim 13 further comprising:a visor check forsecuring said sun visor adjacent to the front windshield, and first andsecond mating electrical connectors attached to said sun visor and saidvisor check, respectively, for selectively providing electric current tosaid sun visor.
 20. The sun visor assembly of claim 19 wherein said sunvisor includes a tip pin, and said visor check includes a movableengaging member engageable with said tip pin, wherein said firstelectrical connector is disposed on said tip pin and said secondelectrical connector is disposed on said movable engaging member.. 21.The sun visor assembly of claim 20 wherein said visor check furtherincludes a spring connected to said engaging member for biasing saidengaging member against said tip pin.
 22. The sun visor assembly ofclaim 13 further comprising:a visor check having a movable engagingmember engageable with said sun visor for securing said sun visoradjacent to the front windshield.
 23. The sun visor assembly of claim 22wherein said sun visor includes a tip pin engageable with said engagingmember, and said visor check includes a spring connected to saidengaging member for biasing said engaging member against said tip pin.24. A sun visor assembly adapted for attachment in a vehicle having afront windshield and a side door window, the sun visor assemblycomprising:a slide track attachable to the vehicle above the side doorwindow, said slide track having a cam slot and a channel formed therein;a slide bracket slidably disposed within said channel; a sun visorpivotably cooperating with said slide bracket, said sun visor beingpivotable about an axis which intersects said slide bracket; a cammember cooperating with said sun visor for pivotal movement therewith,said cam member having a projection, said projection being offset fromsaid axis and being engageable with said cam slot; a motor disposedwithin said slide track; a drive sprocket rotatably connected to saidslide track and driveably engaged with said motor; and a continuous beltsurrounding said slide track and driveably engaged with said drivesprocket, said belt being cooperable with said slide bracket for slidingsaid slide bracket along said slide track; wherein when said slidebracket slides along said slide track in a direction away from the frontwindshield, said cam member projection engages said cam slot for causingrotation of said sun visor about said axis toward a position in whichsaid sun visor is substantially parallel with said slide track, therebypreventing interference of said sun visor with a vehicle occupant assaid sun visor is moved between the front windshield and side doorwindow.